Look what a new cat cafe in Melbourne has dragged in: a policy that bans children under eight years of age.

Opening in Melbourne’s CBD later this month, Australia’s first cat cafe, has surprised patrons with a new rule that refuses entry to young children.

Making the announcement on their Facebook page on Tuesday, owners Anita and Myles Loughran said:“We have placed an age limit of eight years and over only. This age limit is to ensure the safety of our cats as well as babies and young children.”

Ms Loughran, who was inspired to open the cafe after visiting a cat cafe in Japan, said initial plans to allow children in the cafe were overturned after a recent visit by their friends and children.

During the visit, Ms Loughran realised it was too difficult to ensure the safety of both children and animals when a large number of children were playing with the 11 cats and kittens at the same time.